The conceptual rainfall-runoff model Hysim is used to estimate the flow in ungauged catchments in Scotland by Scottish Water. However, there are non-quantified uncertainties associated with the outcomes of the modelling strategy used. In order to identify and quantify these uncertainties it was necessary to use the framework of proxy-basin validation in order to evaluate the performance of different modelling strategies.   The proxy-basin validation test requires hydrologically analogous catchments for the evaluation of models, a Region Of Influence regionalisation method was used in order group selected catchments by Q95(%MF). Four groups of four catchments were established, which covered Q95(%MF) 5-7%, 7-9%, 9-11% and 11-13%.   The allocation of “donor catchment” and “target catchment” for each Q95(%MF) group was accomplished through discussion with Scottish Water with respect to existing Scottish Water modelled catchments. A single donor catchment and three target catchments were therefore indicated for each group.   Two modelling strategies were developed by the study; the first full transposition method used the entire optimised parameter-set from the donor catchment with the exception of the target catchment’s “catchment area” parameter. The second partial transposition method used the entire optimal parameter-set with the exception of the target catchment’s “interception storage”, “time to peak”, “rooting depth” and “catchment area” parameters.    It was found that the full transposition method had the least uncertainty associated its use for flow estimation when the parameter-set was derived from a donor catchment calibration that was excellent. Contrarily, it was found that the partial transposition model method had the least uncertainty associated with flow estimation for parameter-sets that were derived from a relatively poor donor catchment calibration.   Encouraged by this testing framework, this study has suggested the use of catalogue of donor parameter-sets that can be used to estimate flow for catchments that are hydrologically similar. This strategy of hydrological modelling has been recommended to improve existing Scottish Water Hysim methodology.

Les crues « éclair » parfois dévastatrices qui touchent les bassins versants méditerranéens du Sud de la France sont difficiles à anticiper. Leur prévision passe par l'utilisation de modèles pluie-débit, dont l'efficacité est encore limitée par les incertitudes liées notamment à la variabilité spatiale des pluies méditerranéennes et à la caractérisation de l'état hydrique initial des hydrosystèmes. Dans le cas de bassins karstiques, à ces incertitudes s'ajoutent celles liées à la dynamique des aquifères et à leur rôle sur la formation des crues. La première partie de ce travail de thèse propose un modèle pluie-débit horaire, distribué, événementiel et parcimonieux pour reproduire les crues « éclair » à l'exutoire du bassin karstique du Lez (Montpellier) de 114 km2. Le modèle est évalué non seulement sur la qualité des simulations de débits mais aussi sur la qualité de son initialisation obtenu grâce à une relation entre sa condition initiale et divers indicateurs de l'état hydrique de l'hydrosystème. Calibré sur 21 épisodes de crues, le modèle fournit des simulations satisfaisantes, et sa condition initiale est significativement corrélée à l'indice d'humidité Hu2 du modèle SIM de Météo-France ou à la piézométrie dans l'aquifère du Lez. Les pluies mesurées par radar en début d'automne sont de bonne qualité et conduisent à une amélioration des simulations de débit et de l'estimation de la condition initiale du modèle. En revanche, les pluies mesurées par radar en fin d'automne sont de moindre qualité et n'améliorent pas les simulations. Face aux incertitudes liées à la paramétrisation du modèle ou à l'estimation des pluies radar, la deuxième partie du travail de thèse analyse l'apport de l'assimilation des débits observés pour corriger en temps réel les paramètres les plus sensibles du modèle et notamment sa condition initiale ou les pluies radar en entrée du modèle. La procédure d'assimilation de données a été mise en place à l'aide du coupleur PALM, qui permet de relier modèle hydrologique à l'algorithme d'assimilation. La correction de la condition initiale du modèle permet généralement d'améliorer les prévisions (sous hypothèse de pluie future connue); la correction de la pluie a des effets similaires. Néanmoins les limites de cette correction sont atteintes dans le cas où le modèle ne reproduit pas de façon satisfaisante la partie initiale de montée des eaux, ce qui pourra être amélioré par la suite. Finalement, ce travail de thèse montre que la complexité d'un bassin karstique peut être représentée efficacement à l'aide d'un nombre réduit de paramètres, pour simuler les débits, et contribue à l'amélioration des outils opérationnels pour la prévision des crues. / The sometimes devastating flash floods which affect the Mediterranean watersheds of the South of France are difficult to anticipate. Flood forecasting requires the use of rainfall-runoff models which are limited in their efficiency by uncertainty related to the spatial variability of Mediterranean rainfall and the characterization of the initial hydric state of the system. In karstic catchments, these uncertainties are added to those due to aquifer dynamics and their role in flood genesis. The first part of this work will present a distributed event-based parsimonious hourly rainfall-runoff model in order to reconstruct flash flood events at the outlet of the 114 km2 Lez Catchment (Montpellier). The model is evaluated not only for the quality of the simulations produced, but for the quality of its parameter initialization obtained using a relationship between the initial condition and various hydric state indicators of the system. Calibrated using 21 flood episodes, the model produces satisfactory simulations and its initial condition is significantly correlated with the Hu2 soil humidity index of the Météo-France model or piezometers measuring the Lez aquifer. Radar rainfall data measured in early fall are of good quality and lead to improved discharge simulations and an improved estimation of the model initial condition. However, rainfall measured by radar in late fall are of poor quality and do not improve the simulations. Confronted with the uncertainty related to model parametrization or the estimation of radar rainfall, the second part of this dissertation analyzes improvements achieved by assimilating observed discharge measurements in order to perform real-time corrections to the most sensitive model parameters and notably the initial condition and the radar rainfall input to the model. The data assimilation procedure was implemented with the help of the PALM coupling software which allows for the linking of the hydrological model with the assimilation algorithm. Correcting the initial condition allowed for, on average, the improvement of forecasting (under a known future rainfall hypothesis); correcting the rainfall had similar effects. Nevertheless, the limits of this approach are reached when the model is unable to satisfactorily reproduce the rising limb of the hydrograph, a problem which may be addressed by future research. Finally, this body of work demonstrates that the complexity of a karstic catchment can be efficiently represented with a reduced number of parameters in order to simulate discharges and contribute to the improvement of operational tools for flood forecasting.

Modelling of the rainfall-runoff process is one of the basic scientific skills in hydrology. Rainfall-runoff modelling can help to improve water management, handling of the reservoir's storage volume, or also to facilitate adaptation to current climatic conditions. The aim of the diploma thesis is to create a functional rainfall-runoff model on the basis of water balance equations based on the lumped water balance principle of the hydrological model. Several modifications of the general rainfall-runoff model are approached in the diploma thesis. Four types of the daily evapotranspiration determination are used in the calculations. The rainfall-runoff model is compiled from temperature data and precipitation totals in a daily step. The practical application is carried out on a sub-basin of the river Dyje, which is located above Vranov water reservoir. The main output is a series of daily flow rates that were obtained from calibrated rainfall-runoff models. The best rainfall-runoff model takes into account the water from snow cover melting, the value of the Nash Sutcliffe calibration criterion of this model is 0.608. Finally, the hydrological simulation for the period 2021-2060 is performed in the diploma thesis.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / River basins have long been attracting human settlement and development, promising water and fertile lands (Newson 1992). The Bot River Catchment on the southern coast of South Africa is no exception. However, much of the development in this catchment has not been controlled and its land and water resources are being abused. This is affecting the water quality and quantity of the river system and estuary at an alarming rate. In this thesis, the ‘reference’ land cover in the Bot River Catchment is recreated. This term is used to describe “the hydrological state of the catchment as it was when completely covered in natural vegetation, thus before it was impacted by humans” (Jacobs & Bruwer 2002:12). A rainfall-runoff model is employed to investigate the effects of various land covers on the catchment’s runoff quantity, by comparing the simulation results of the catchment’s reference and current state. The results of the model point to a large reduction in runoff since the reference state of the catchment. As the rainfall-runoff model applied did not allow for modelling of the annual agriculture that dominates the catchment, the runoff reduction was attributed to the smaller areas of perennial agriculture, forestry and alien vegetation infestation. The simulation results confirmed the threat of current land use practices on the environmental integrity of the Bot River Catchment. A transition to agricultural practices that are more suited to the climate is suggested and the eradication of alien vegetation should be seen as a priority. Most importantly, a holistic approach should be taken towards the management of the Bot River Catchment. The altered hydrodynamic regime of the Bot River Estuary is symptomatic of misuse of the entire catchment. As ongoing demographic and land use pressures create a new generation of water management problems (Department of Water Affairs & Forestry 1993), a deeper understanding of the relationships between the different components in the Bot River Catchment becomes increasingly urgent.